George Orwell’s 1984 is about to come to life in a new dramatization starring Andrew Garfield.
The Spider-Man: No Way Home star will voice Winston Smith in the Audible adaptation of the classic British dystopian sci-fi novel, and it looks as though he’s in good company. Garfield is joined by Cynthia Erivo as Julia, Andrew Scott as O’Brien, and Tom Hardy as the voice of Big Brother in the production due out April 4, 2024.
Winston was famously played by John Hurt in the 1984 film adaptation, with Richard Burton as O’Brien. Doctor Who star Christopher Ecclestone recently voiced Winston in the BBC’s 2013 radio adaptation, while Peter Cushing played Smith in the 1954 Sunday Night Play.
The dramatization is notably not an audiobook, but an ‘immersive listening experience’ that’s apparently like nothing you’ve heard before.
Here’s the official synopsis:
“It’s 1984, and life has changed beyond recognition. Airstrip One, formerly known as Great Britain, is a place where Big Brother is always watching, and nobody can hide. Except, perhaps, for Winston Smith. Whilst working at the Ministry of Truth, rewriting history, he secretly dreams of freedom. And in a world where love and sex are forbidden, where it’s hard to distinguish between friend and foe, he meets Julia and O’Brien and vows to rebel.”
The upcoming adaptation is directed by BAFTA Award winner Destiny Ekaragha with an original score from Muse lead singer and songwriter Matthew Bellamy, as well as film composer Ilan Eshkeri.
1984 also stars Chukwudi Iwuji, Romesh Ranganathan, Natasia Demetriou, Francesca Mills, Alex Lawther, and Katie Leung. Audible does note that the adaptation features scenes that some may find disturbing, and while that’s not a huge surprise to 1984 fans, listener discretion is advised.
Want to read more about Dystopian movies? Check out 15 horrible policies from dystopian movies as well as 10 films to watch if you like The Hunger Games.
Ryan Leston is an entertainment journalist and film critic for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter.
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